Sterol affinity for phospholipid bilayers is influenced by hydrophobic matching between lipids and transmembrane peptides

► The sterol affinity for phospholipid bilayers is affected by transmembrane peptides. ► Hydrophobic matching influences how the sterol affinity is affected by peptides. ► Peptides can both decrease and increase the sterol's affinity for the bilayer. ► Hydrophobic matching could control lateral organization in cellular membranes.